The Cuban Electric Union (UNE) announced early this Friday morning that the Lidio Ramón Pérez Thermal Power Plant, known as Felton, is back in operation.
"ETE 'Lidio Ramón Pérez' Felton is contributing 220 MW to the National Electric System," announced UNE on its social media shortly before 7 a.m. on December 6th.
In another recent publication, the UNE specified that the connection of Felton 1 occurred at 11:08 PM, just before midnight.
"They wrote, 'Felton 1 online with the SEN and increasing load.'"
Despite the good news, Cubans have not been particularly encouraged by the announcement because the constant outages create a spiral of stress that does little to alleviate the core issue: power cuts.
On the night of this Thursday, a failure reported in Felton affected several Cuban provinces with a massive blackout.
According to a brief report from the Electric Union, the incident occurred at 7:33 PM when Block 1 of the plant automatically shut down, interrupting its operation.
The disruption at the power plant resulted in a significant decrease in energy generation.
Blackouts in Cuba: Energy Crisis and Failures in Thermal Power Plants
The Felton Thermoelectric Power Plant has experienced multiple outages from the National Electric System (SEN) throughout 2024, highlighting incidents such as in October, when unit 1 was taken out of service for an urgent 10-day maintenance focused on the boiler.
In May, the same unit was out of operation for 25 days due to scheduled maintenance. Additionally, in August, the plant went offline again due to a "puncture" in the boiler, with no details provided about the time required for its repair.
On December 4th, the country experienced the third total collapse of the National Electric System in less than two months due to an unexpected shutdown of the Antonio Guiteras thermoelectric plant, located in Matanzas.
Previously, on December 2, the municipalities of Santiago de Cuba and Guantánamo experienced power outages due to a fault in the 110 kV line in Renté.
On social media, citizens repeatedly express their frustration over what they perceive as an energy emergency. The lack of effective solutions, coupled with the government’s unfulfilled promises, intensifies social discontent and highlights the need for a change in the management of the electrical system.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blackouts and the Energy Crisis in Cuba
What is the main cause of power outages in Cuba?
The main cause of blackouts in Cuba is the fragility of the national electrical system, exacerbated by frequent breakdowns in thermal power plants and poor government management. Inadequate maintenance and a lack of resources have resulted in a prolonged energy crisis.
What impact does the failure at the Felton thermoelectric plant have on the electricity supply?
The malfunction at the Felton thermoelectric plant has led to a significant reduction in energy generation, resulting in widespread blackouts in several provinces of Cuba. This situation is recurring due to ongoing breakdowns and inadequate maintenance of the facility.
How do Cubans react to the ongoing blackouts?
Cubans express their frustration and discontent primarily through social media, where they criticize the lack of effective solutions and the government's broken promises. This unrest has intensified due to the regime's inability to ensure a stable electricity supply.
What actions has the Cuban government taken to address the energy crisis?
The Cuban government has implemented maintenance on thermal power plants and rotating electricity outages as measures to address the energy crisis. However, these actions have not succeeded in stabilizing the power supply, leaving the population without a long-term solution.
What is expected for the future of the electric system in Cuba?
The future of the electric system in Cuba is uncertain, as ongoing breakdowns, inadequate maintenance, and ineffective government management suggest that the energy crisis will continue in the short term. The situation requires a significant change in management and infrastructure to improve the electricity supply.
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